FOOTBALLERS have given Bromyard Community Hospital a high-tech physiotherapy couch to replace the one that has been used in the department for the last 17 years.

The money came from the committee of the Worcester Infirmary Cup competition, involving semi-professional football teams.

Last season's winners were Malvern Town and this year, Bromyard Town are still in the running.

Each year the competition committee uses money raised from the senior cup competition to help local communities.

This time, Bromyard Town was invited to recommend a beneficiary and the club's secretary, knowing how important the hospital was to local residents and sportsmen and women, asked the advice of physiotherapist Sue Skyrme.

She has worked in the department since 1991, a year after the hospital opened, and she was delighted with the gift of the new £500 couch.